Wood fence cost in Providence, RI
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (150 linear ft)
- $3,150 – $7,850
- Per linear ft
- $21 – $51.50
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- +3%
- US $5,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #63
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a wood fence in the Providence area: $3,150 to $7,850 for 150 linear ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint runs 3% higher than the US figure. Carpenters earn a median of $29.76 an hour in the Providence area, 2% above the US median of $29.12.
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Estimated cost for 150 linear ft in Providence, RI, standard level
$4,600 to $6,450
About $30 to $42.50 per linear ft before permits. Labor is about 45% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,350 | $3,500 |
| Labor | $2,200 | $2,850 |
| Permits and fees | $75 | $120 |
| Total | $4,600 | $6,450 |
Cost breakdown for 150 linear ft in Providence, RI
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,450 | $2,900 | $4,350 | 53% |
| Labor | $1,650 | $2,500 | $3,350 | 45% |
| Permits and fees | $40 | $95 | $150 | 2% |
| Total | $3,150 | $5,500 | $7,850 | 100% |
Why Providence prices look the way they do
Labor is 45% of the midpoint bill here, against 42% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is carpenters (60%), construction laborers (40%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Providence the blended ratio comes out at 1.12.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Providence is at 97.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,000 nationally becomes $2,900 here (midpoint, 150 linear ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.8: $40 to $150.
Extras that change the Providence total
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.04 for Providence, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.12) and goods price index (0.97). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add one gate (flat) | $160 – $830 |
Wood fence: what moves the price in Providence
Height and permits
Fences over about 6 ft often need a permit and a setback check. Permits run $40-$150.
Slope and soil
Hills, rock, and tree roots slow post digging.
Composite
A composite wood-look privacy fence is $55-$85 per linear foot installed (HomeGuide).
Providence against nearby metros and the rest of Rhode Island
Contractors rarely work more than an hour or two from home, so the neighboring metros set a rough ceiling and floor for your quotes. Midpoints for 150 linear ft range from $5,450 to $6,000 across Providence and its five closest metros.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence, RIthis page | $3,150 – $7,850 | $5,500 | |
| Norwich, CT45 miles | $3,100 – $7,750 | $5,450 | −1% |
| Worcester, MA55 miles | $3,350 – $8,250 | $5,800 | +5% |
| Boston, MA60 miles | $3,450 – $8,500 | $6,000 | +8% |
| Barnstable, MA60 miles | $3,300 – $8,150 | $5,700 | +4% |
| Hartford, CT65 miles | $3,200 – $7,900 | $5,550 | level |
| Rhode Island (statewide) | $3,150 – $7,800 | $5,450 | −1% |
| United States | $3,050 – $7,650 | $5,350 | −3% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Providence ranks #63 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Providence is 1% above the Rhode Island figure.
Providence is the only Rhode Island metro we cover, so the statewide page is the only in-state comparison. It uses statewide wages, which include rural areas.
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Providence against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raleigh, NC | 743,120 jobs | $2,800 – $7,150 | $5,000 | −10% |
| Louisville, KY | 685,190 jobs | $2,900 – $7,350 | $5,150 | −7% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 763,060 jobs | $2,750 – $7,000 | $4,900 | −12% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 677,680 jobs | $2,650 – $6,800 | $4,750 | −14% |
Planning more than one job in Providence?
Jobs that often go together with wood fence are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Providence wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, chain-link fence comes out highest (+9%) and vinyl fence lowest (+1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl fence | 150 linear ft | $4,550 – $9,250 | +1% |
| Chain-link fence | 150 linear ft | $1,600 – $6,750 | +9% |
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,900 – $11,600 | +2% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $7,650 – $15,400 | +1% |
Who does the work: Providence trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Providence the blend is 1.12.
Carpenters (47-2031), 60% of the weighting: a median of $29.76 an hour, in line with the US median of $29.12. The middle half of them earn between $26.71 and $38.38 an hour. About 4,140 work in the metro. That is 58.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 43.1 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $28.50 an hour, which is 26% above the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $23.10 and $37.25 an hour. BLS counts 3,240 of them working in the area, 45.4 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (carpenters) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $400 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $140. That is a swing of roughly 2.6% to 7.2% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Providence-Warwick has 714,120 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 42nd by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters (47-2031) | 60% | $26.71 | $29.76 | $38.38 | $29.12 | 1.02 | metro |
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $23.10 | $28.50 | $37.25 | $22.66 | 1.26 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.12 | |||||
The best months for wood fence in Providence
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Providence T F Green Ap (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For exterior installation, the comfortable months in Providence are March through November: 9 of 12. Outside them, January, February and December have an average daytime high under 45°F.
In January, February and December the average high stays below 45°F. Sealants, adhesives and some materials, such as vinyl, are harder to install well in the cold, and short daylight cuts the working day.
Providence gets about 48 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 37 inches of snow. The wettest months are March, April and December (4.9 inches in March). Inside the workable window, May and July are the driest, at 3.4 and 2.9 inches. The station averages about 12 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 38 | 22 | 4.0 | Cold |
| Feb | 41 | 24 | 3.4 | Cold |
| Mar | 48 | 30 | 4.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 59 | 40 | 4.3 | Workable |
| May | 69 | 49 | 3.4 | Workable |
| Jun | 78 | 59 | 3.8 | Workable |
| Jul | 84 | 65 | 2.9 | Workable |
| Aug | 82 | 64 | 3.6 | Workable |
| Sep | 75 | 57 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 45 | 4.2 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 36 | 4.3 | Workable |
| Dec | 43 | 28 | 4.7 | Cold |
Providence: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Providence. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from backyard (100 linear ft) to full lot (300 linear ft).
Basic
$3,150 to $5,050
Pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft
Standard
$4,600 to $6,450
6-ft cedar or treated privacy fence
Premium
$6,000 to $7,850
Premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| backyard (100 linear ft) | $2,150 – $3,400 | $3,100 – $4,350 | $4,050 – $5,300 |
| 150 ft (150 linear ft) | $3,150 – $5,050 | $4,600 – $6,450 | $6,000 – $7,850 |
| 200 ft (200 linear ft) | $4,200 – $6,700 | $6,100 – $8,600 | $7,950 – $10,400 |
| full lot (300 linear ft) | $6,300 – $10,000 | $9,100 – $12,800 | $11,900 – $15,600 |
Get 3 local quotes
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Wood fence in Providence: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a wood fence in Providence?
For 150 linear ft, expect $3,150 to $7,850 in the Providence area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,600 to $6,450. Small jobs usually cost more per linear ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per linear ft for wood fence in Providence?
About $21 to $51.50 per linear ft for materials and labor, plus $40 to $150 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $20 to $50.
+Is wood fence cheaper in Providence or Norwich?
Norwich is 45 miles away. The midpoint for 150 linear ft there is $5,450, which is 1% less than Providence ($5,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Providence?
About 45% at the midpoint, or $2,500 out of $5,500. Materials are 53% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 42%.
+What would 200 ft (200 linear ft) cost in Providence?
$4,200 to $10,400. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does wood fence need a permit in Providence?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $40 to $150 for fees in the Providence area (our national range of $40 to $150 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Providence expensive for wood fence compared with the rest of Rhode Island?
Providence is 1% above the Rhode Island statewide estimate ($5,450 at the midpoint).
+What do carpenters earn in Providence?
The BLS median is $29.76 an hour in the Providence area, compared with $29.12 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $26.71 to $38.38.
+What do basic and premium wood fence work cost in Providence?
For 150 linear ft, basic work runs $3,150 to $5,050 and premium work $6,000 to $7,850. Basic means: pine pickets or split rail, 4 ft. Premium means: premium hardwood or 8-ft privacy fence.
+When is the best time to install a wood fence in Providence?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through November. May and July are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add one gate" add in Providence?
$160 to $830, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Wood fence near Providence
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Wood Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Vinyl Fence Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020